While I tumble about like a freshman outside Piper’s Pub on Homecoming weekend, Kate appears to be bolted to the boat’s deck. She fished with Charlie until she was 35 weeks pregnant with one of their three boys.

Then came a little girl and Charlie didn’t want to go to Alberta anymore.

So he swings a chainsaw the rest of the year and they get by.

They’ve got the oldest boat in the harbour and these are their two big months.

And I get to be part of the Kate and Charlie team.

It’s the best team.

I kind of feel like one of the Mighty Ducks.

On a more pleasant day – which pretty well all of them are – Charlie and I agree that Led Zeppelin is probably the best band ever.

For these two months we see more of each other than we do our own families.

Slide the first trap down the gunnel .

Pop the hatch.

Jam two herring on the spike.

Grab the pissed off little monster that attempts rather impressive acrobatics as I toss it in Kate’s tub.

This is the George’s Bay Waltz.

Charlie

There’s at least 120 crews performing the exact same dance between Mabou and Ballantynes Cove.

Except today, it’s more of a reel.

Fast as you can go.

No wasted motions.

The sooner we get these traps hauled, baited and dumped, the sooner we can get the fuck back behind the wharf.

Seven traps fished and baited on the gunnel.

Charlie goes back to the wheel.

“What types of dip does Suzy like to make?”

I lean across the traps and spread my arms to hold as many as possible and feel the boat turn side on to the swell.

The boat heaves and I’m staring down at the wave’s trough, holding the traps from going overboard.

Prepared to let them go if they prove more determined that I am.

“BEAN DIP MOSTLY,” I yell back.

Then I’m staring at the sky as the boat climbs sideways up the wave’s peak.

I’m suddenly aware how sad bean dip sounds compared to the dips Kate has been describing to me.

I want her to know that Suzy and I gorge ourselves on it with joy as we sit in the mismatched Lazyboy rocking chairs we got off the Buy and Sell and have by our woodstove.

The boat’s come about and now we’re running with the swell.

I grab the buoy line, trail it out and wait for Charlie to make his call.

“OKAY” he yells.

I let go the buoy line and push the first trap over.

The line snakes out fast over the deck.

I check that it hasn’t got around my feet.

When it’s about to come taut I shove the next trap over.

Repeat and repeat until the seventh is gone.

I throw the last buoy over, grab the gaff and return to my perch behind Charlie’s open cabin door.

And I think to myself that Kate’s right – it’s got to be Helmann’s.

Life’s too short to waste on Miracle Whip.

Article by Aaron Beswick. This article was originally found at www.jimtownmade.com. All photos by Aaron Beswick.